Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has claimed that President Cyril Ramaphosa is planning to move the country back to Level 5 of Covid-19 lockdown for 21 days.
Malema said this on Tuesday during an interview with the broadcasting television channel, Newzroom Afrika.
“The man is looking at taking us back to level 5 for 21 days. That is what he is considering. [David] Makhura has no power to take the province anywhere in terms of regulations. It is the president himself.
“He wants to lock us up again for 21 days in level 5. We’re not going back there,” said Malema.
South Africa is currently battling the third wave of Covid-19 infections, with numbers steadily surging in recent weeks.
[In Case You Missed It]: CIC @Julius_S_Malema says Ramaphosa is looking at taking the back to level 5 for 21 days. That is what he is considering.
They have eaten the PPEs money. They are now eating the money of the Vaccine. #CICon405 pic.twitter.com/RGtnK45Nq1
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 22, 2021
Gauteng is bearing the brunt, accounting for 6 000 of the over 9 000 new cases as of Tuesday, June 22.
The province remains the epicentre, as it moves towards an expected Covid-19 third wave peak, according to reports.
Malema’s claims came as Ramaphosa hinted that his government could move the current lockdown restrictions to a higher level.
Ramaphosa said he was “deeply worried”.
He said this as he responded to questions after briefing the media during a visit to the Cape Town Port on Tuesday, June 22.
“Infections are rising and that calls on us to review where we are. We will be making an assessment,” IOL quoted Ramaphosa as saying.
ALSO READ | Ramaphosa hints at stricter lockdown as ‘catastrophe unfolds in Gauteng
Government’s tightened measures
South Africa moved to level 3 lockdown on Tuesday last week, introducing further restrictions around gatherings, the sale of alcohol and a tighter curfew.
Ramaphosa said a balance needed to be struck between keeping the economy open at the expense of people’s lives, and protecting livelihoods, a News24 report said.
“The lives of people are extremely important as are their livelihoods,” said Ramaphosa.
Malema has on several occasions correctly “predicted” the government’s tightened measures in its response to Covid-19. Last week he tweeted ahead of Ramaphosa’s address that SA would move to level 3, according to Times Live.
Last month Malema tweeted ahead of the president’s address that South Africa would be moved to alert level 2, the report said.
PICTURE: Twitter/@yilo_nicolas
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
